Scripture Study: 'Not All Can Accept It'

When Jesus tells us that "not all can accept" celibacy, He's implying that most people can.

Mt. 19:11-12: "Not all can accept [this] word, but only those to whom that is granted. For there are eunuchs who were born so from their mother’s womb, there are eunuchs who were made so by men, and there are eunuchs who have become eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it."

In this classic Scripture passage, Jesus explains to His apostles that celibacy is hard and not all can accept it. He makes a point however to urge all that can accept it to do so.

This passage is remarkable in that it establishes celibacy as a distinguishing mark of the people who hold to the New Covenant. But what is even more amazing is the clear indication that this group of eunuchs for the kingdom is by no means small in number. This is evident from the usage of the Greek phrase ou pantes, which is translated as "not all."

When we say "not all" in English, we generally denote a large percentage, certainly more than half. We mean to say something like, “close to all, but not quite.” For example the phrase, "not all people have health insurance," implies that most people do. And "not all the children are asleep yet" generally means that most children have gone to bed, and that there are a few stragglers.

The sense of this phrase is no different in the New Testament Greek. The Greek phrase ou pantes is used here in Matthew's gospel and elsewhere in the New Testament to signify a very large percentage of people.

In St. John’s gospel a related phrase is used after Jesus washes the feet of the apostles. He solemnly warns Peter that "not all are clean." The evangelist makes plain that this refers to Our Lord's betrayer, Judas. Clearly, those who are not clean are but one out of twelve, a small percentage. Those who are clean represent the vast majority. The phrase "not all are clean" means “most of the apostles are in fact clean.”

In the same way, when Jesus declares that "not all can accept" celibacy, He implies that most people can accept it.

Hebrews 3:16 provides another example, though it is somewhat obscured by novel translations of this passage. The author criticizes the Israelites that rebelled against Moses in the desert. But he adds that “some having heard did provoke, but not all who did come out of Egypt by Moses.” Again, ou pantes refers to the majority, for very few (Joshua and Caleb) did not die in the desert as punishment for their rebelliousness.

For some reason however, many (not all) within the Church are viewing celibacy as a gift that very few people have. Marriage is seen as the "normal" or "common" calling with celibacy reserved for a select few. This view has no basis in Scripture or anywhere else in Catholic doctrine. Furthermore, this erroneous thinking is causing religious vocations to suffer tremendously as we are limiting a priori the pool of potential candidates. The Church is setting its expectations way too low and this inevitably leads to a failure to meet even these meager goals. The reality is, as this passage shows, that the inability to live celibacy is the exception, not the rule. The vast majority can indeed accept celibacy, and, following Jesus’ counsel, ought to.

With the words of Our Lord as our guide, the Apostolate of Saint Jerome undertakes the mission to change this incorrect perception by spreading within the Church the revealed truth that most people can and should accept celibacy. This total change in the way Catholics see celibacy will be slow, but with the force of Sacred Scripture at its back, it is certain to succeed.

 This article appeared in the August 15, 2004 issue of The Loyal Lion.